Balloon Charities
Have you found a card and donated to charity? If so, please tell me which charity you have chosen, and why. Do this by using the 'Sign Guest Book' button above this text.

The purpose of this page is to register a donation only, so if you have any general comments about the site or my activities on the plinth please could you use the Contact or Comments page.

If you can't decide which charity you want to donate to, visit Charity Choice which is an online directory to over 10,000 charities and non-profit organisations and you can donate online as well.
 
Current Comments:
Post number:
71
3rd of January 2010 01:58 PM by Zuzana Ambrosova website: http://zuzanaambrosova@seznam.cz
Dear Jill, I saw you a day before the start of the project on Trafalgar Square. You were giving an interview to a reporter but I still managed to approach you and speak to you for a while. Then I came back to see you standing on the plinth and managed to catch one of your balloons. I am a teacher from Prague and I decided to include my students into your charitable idea. The money we collected was sent to an organisation which supports orphaned students in India. Best wishes for the New Year and many greetings from Prague.
Post number:
70
25th of July 2009 12:23 PM by Barbara Gregory
I donate to The Brooke Hospital monthly by gift aid. I am 65 at the end of the month and my employer is not keeping me on - yes, one can still discriminate against age. I was going to cancel my monthly donation to The Brooke but will keep paying until the end of the year and if I find another job I will carry on until I leave work. I found balloon 42 (Caryn) in my horses' field in Drinkstone Green in Suffolk.
Post number:
69
23rd of July 2009 02:51 PM by A Neighbour
A neighbour stopped me in the street and told me they had made a donation to Cancer Research in my name after reading about my exploits on the plinth!
Post number:
68
9th of July 2009 03:04 PM by Jill Gatcum
Colin Johnson, contributor 29 below, is going to be following in the wheel tracks of the Tour de France and from the 17th to 21st July he will be climbing some of the biggest mountains from the world's hardest cycle race. He'll be raising much needed funds for, a local Horsham charity, the Barns Green village play group and I have made a donation to support what he's going to be doing, and it's going to hurt...a lot!
Post number:
67
7th of July 2009 07:16 AM by Taxi Driver
This donation was made by a very supportive taxi driver who drove me to Trafalgar Square yesterday. He asked me to make a donation on his behalf and I have done so to Shelter.
Post number:
66
6th of July 2009 08:47 PM by Graeme Morris
just too late for a balloon (story of my life), but have donated £20 to the MS society. Hope it wasn't too wet ! Graeme
Post number:
65
6th of July 2009 11:40 AM by Kimberley Warren
Better late than never - perhaps you could release it from your back garden! I've donated £50 to The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation in memory of my beloved mum, Linda, who died 3 years ago on 21st July 2009 from the disease xx
Post number:
64
5th of July 2009 03:20 PM by Duncan Smith
Fantastic idea. Loved the photo in the evening papers! £20 has been donated to Cancer Research. Hope it goes well and the rain holds off..
Post number:
63
5th of July 2009 03:05 PM by Shirley Graham
Hi Jilly, It sounds like you are all set and very excited about Monday. I have decided to donate €50 to Education Camp Nepal (where I volunteered a few years ago) which works to provide an education for children from very poor families (especially girls who are often held back from school so that their brothers can go instead). And I am also donating €50 to GOAL an Irish charity doing relief work in places like Darfur. The Irish Aid worker who was recently kidnapped there - Sharon Commins - was a very good friend of mine while at college and we are all praying for her speedy release.
You are doing something truly wonderful and inspirational. Good luck tomorrow. Hugs. :-)
Post number:
62
4th of July 2009 12:13 PM by Doreen Lewis
I have donated £50 to Cancer Research and £50 to British Heart Foundation.
Post number:
61
3rd of July 2009 11:23 PM by Jacky Lamb
Hi Jill - now the sky really is the limit! I've given £30 to Great Ormond St in recognition of your endeavors. I hope you have a great day and that everything goes well for you. I'm looking forward to the photos... Jacky.xx
Post number:
60
2nd of July 2009 08:09 PM by Gareth
I'm donating £100 to the Cats Protection League in memory of Blackie.
Post number:
59
2nd of July 2009 08:01 PM by Fred
I'm donating to Action Aid because they help people in the Third World who need our support.
Post number:
58
2nd of July 2009 04:25 PM by Gwen Fisher
Best of luck with your endeavours. I have donated £10.00 to Macmillan and £5.00 to Children with Luekaemia
Post number:
57
2nd of July 2009 01:19 PM by SJ
In honour of your astounding event, we are using the opportunity to adopt yet another orangutan at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation.
£5 per month will be going to support the rehabilitation and (hopefully) eventual release back to the wild of Ruthie, in addition to her orange buddies Kesi and Grendon who we adopted in 2006.
Hope all goes well on the day, and many thanks for giving us an excuse to expand our Primate Family :-)
Many blessings, SJ

BOS UK : http://www.savetheorangutan.co.uk/index.php
Post number:
56
2nd of July 2009 11:44 AM by Linda McVey
Well done Jill. Great Idea. I have donated £20 to the Alder Hey Family House Trust. A great charity that runs a house at Alder Hey where parents can stay close to their seriously ill children. Stayed there myself in 2006 when my daughter was very ill and it really helped the whole family.
Post number:
55
2nd of July 2009 10:48 AM by John Fidoe
Great idea Jill. I've made a £25 donation to Cancer Research UK.

Good Luck!!
Post number:
54
2nd of July 2009 10:39 AM by Andrea Evans
Hi Jill

Fab idea - have just donated £30 to St Peter & St James, a local hospice. Steve Bevan, a friend our ours died very recently from cancer and the support they provide is invaluable.

Andrea
Post number:
53
2nd of July 2009 10:04 AM by Kim Wise
Lovely idea Jill. Hope you manage to sell the last 7 balloons!

I've donated £10 to Springboard, in Horsham, which provides a great play environment for able and disabled children.
Kim
Post number:
52
2nd of July 2009 01:08 AM by Jason Clark
I will be able to watch you release the balloons, knowing one of them will be mine will make it even more special.

I have donated £30 to train 5 traditional midwives in Ethiopia to treat post partum hemorrhages, via globalgiving.co.uk
Post number:
51
1st of July 2009 03:39 PM by Hazel Carroll website: http://hazel.carroll@hotmail.co.uk
What can I say, that will teach you not to read the small print, but Jilly what a great idea. I have made a donation to Cancer Research I think we all know some one who this dreadful disease has touched.

Mind those pigeons and if I can I will be along to cheer you on. Hazel XXX
Post number:
50
1st of July 2009 03:15 PM by Katie Hanson
Well bugger me... after not hearing hide nor hair of you in an absolute age and first thing I know, you're rubbing shoulders with Nelson in Trafalger Square! Love it.

Good on you Jill! May the gentle summer breeze lift your lovely balloons high into the London sky...and raise loads of cash for charity at the same time.

I have donated £20 to Medecin Sans Frontiers.

Lots of love, Katie xxx
Post number:
49
1st of July 2009 10:56 AM by Kate Usher
Jilly, I am so proud of you. Ava and I will be there on Monday cheering you on. We have made a donation to Cancer Research for whom no excuse is necessary but should I need one your activities are a fantastic reason for donating. All that's left to say is...... go Jilly, go Jilly, go Jilly .....
Post number:
48
30th of June 2009 10:33 AM by Nicole and Lance Clark website: http://www.oasisofpeaceuk.org/
Hi Jilly

What a clever idea. I'm so pleased to be a part of this event with you. Lance and I have donated to The British Friends of Neve Shalom -- Wahat al-salam (Oasis of Peace). It is a bilingual school in Israel that integrates Palestinian and Jewish children so that they can grow up together while learning tolerance and respect for each other. This school also has a global peace outreach program.

I'm looking forward to watching your webcast!

Love

Nicole
Post number:
47
29th of June 2009 03:39 PM by Andreas Eracleous website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
Hi Jill

I have given £10 to Cancer Research UK which supports the work of around 3,500 scientists, doctors and nurses and undertakes a comprehensive programme of research in institutes, hospitals and universities throughout Britain and Northern Ireland.

Regards

Andreas
Post number:
46
29th of June 2009 09:47 AM by Lisa Heddle
Good luck Jill. May the pigeons miss you..!!
£50 donation going to NSPCC.
Post number:
45
28th of June 2009 08:00 PM by Sue Feighoney website: http://www.farmafrica.org.uk
Jill,

My donation has gone to FARM-Africa. They provide training and support to poor rural communities in Africa so families can help work themselves out of poverty by improving the ways in which they manage crops, livestock, forests and access to water.

I hope to be there on the 6th to see you in your hour of glory!

Sue
Post number:
44
28th of June 2009 12:42 PM by Yvette Templar website: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk
Hi Jill,
You'll have such a blast up there! And all the while knowing your plinth experience is making a positive difference! I've donated 15Pounds to the Parkinsons Society. I'll be there cheering you on the 6th!
Yvette
Post number:
43
28th of June 2009 11:25 AM by Mary Banks
Jill, wish I could be there to witness this wonderful thing! Hope there will be a lot of photos taken....
Am donating to Cancer Research. Have fun on the day! Mary x
Post number:
42
28th of June 2009 11:14 AM by Caryn Swartz
Jill

This is such a lovely idea, you know I'll be rooting for you! Most of all have fun up there in the knowledge that you've done a lot of good. I'm donating £20 to SANDS, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society.

All the best,
Caryn
x
Post number:
41
27th of June 2009 11:50 AM by shirley Graham website: http://www.hannshouse.net
Hi Jill

Well done! I am very impressed at your creativity - I love the balloon idea. I will support one of your balloons happily xx
Shirley
Post number:
40
26th of June 2009 04:28 PM by Sarah Morris
Jill

Will run down to see you loitering on the plinth as I only work about 300 yards away. Have donated to Alzheimers for the same reasons as mum. See you on the 6th!

Sarah
Post number:
39
26th of June 2009 03:15 PM by Martin Alderman
Jill

What a fantastic idea! I would have loved to come down and see you on the day but I'll be in Glasgow. Anyway, I will definitely be thinking of you. And for your troubles, I will be donating £20 to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Good luck - and remember to take a brolly, it may come in useful whatever the weather - and not forgetting the pigeons of course!
Martin
Post number:
38
26th of June 2009 02:34 PM by Stella
It is a far, far, better thing you do .... than I could! I have made a donation to the Optimum Population Trust, inspired by you and our new patron, David Attenborough.

Mind how you go now.

Stella
xxx
Post number:
37
26th of June 2009 02:24 PM by Esther Holt website: http://www.samaritans.org
Hi Jill

I've just made a £10 donation to The Samaritans who provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Its a fantastic charity that provides a brilliant service.

Well done Jill, I love this idea!

Esther
Post number:
36
26th of June 2009 10:12 AM by Julia Moore website: http://www.stlukeshospice.com
I've made a donation to my local hospice. The hospice movement provides such invaluable care and support it shouldn't have to rely on charity but it does so hence my (small) donation. Jill, I can't wait to see the pics. Enjoy your 60 minutes of fame - I just hope those pigeons don't take a fancy to you!
Post number:
35
26th of June 2009 09:32 AM by Katie Clarke website: http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/
I also donated to muscular dystrophy campaign as it's so important to raise awareness and to aid research into cures for this muscle disease as well as offering support to families affected.
Post number:
34
26th of June 2009 09:17 AM by Mark Hatter website: http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/
I am donating this to help reasearch into muscular dystrophy and in particular for Jacob Kyle Gilbert

Enjoy your hour on the plinth.
Post number:
33
26th of June 2009 09:16 AM by Marina
Hey Jilly - Couldn't bear to think of you standing up there looking gorgeous with NO BALLOONS LEFT!!! OMG! My donation to Lewy Body Society GBP20. My brother is suffering from this cruel illness, he's pretty unaware what's going on but the toll on his family is enormous.

Have fun - bask in the limelight. Here's hoping for a fine day with a gentle little breeze.

You are, as always, amazing.
Marina xxx
Post number:
32
25th of June 2009 05:13 PM by Anne Hancock website: http://wwwcancerresearchuk.org
Donating to charity is always something I am going to do but seldom get around to it, so this is a great nudge for me and of course I wish to support you in this, and wish you good luck. I have donated £20 to cancer research, as I have lost my mother, father and step-mother to cancer. Paul and I will be thinking of you on the 6th.
Anne
Post number:
31
25th of June 2009 02:20 PM by Rachel Hoyle website: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
What a brilliant and very original idea - well done.

I've made a £10 donation to cancer research. http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

Good luck Jill and enjoy your 60 mins xx
Post number:
30
25th of June 2009 02:14 PM by Jamie Napper website: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Hi Jill, love the idea and the fact it has inspired me to be more structured about donating to charity.

The things most dear to me at the moment are my wife and 2 boys. I can't begin the imagine what a childs life would be like without love and support or worse when the people who are supposed to take care of you do the opposite, so am donating to the NSPCC.

I've set up a monthly £5 donation which is easy to do on their website.

Good luck on the day - hope it stays dry and you dont get carried away by 60 balloons before you start !!

Jamie (and Suzy, Elliot & Lucas)
Post number:
29
25th of June 2009 02:09 PM by Colin Johnson
Hi Jill, As you know I'm about to ride 400 mile on my bike in the French Alps, over some of the biggest mountains in the Tour de France for a local charity that supports the Barns Green Village Preschool. Without funds from the charity they wouldn't be able to continue to run.
Anyway I think this is a very worthy opportunity for me to put my own hand in my pocket and donate £10 by buying a ballooon. Let's hope all goes well with both our charitable ventures!
Post number:
28
25th of June 2009 02:09 PM by Paul Irwin
Jill, what a wonderful way to use your 60 minutes of fame. I'm proud to be able to support such a great initiative.

I've given £30 going to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

I'm lucky that several members of my family have survived breast cancer, including my Mum.
Post number:
27
25th of June 2009 01:33 PM by Stuart Murray website: http://www.stfrancishospice.co.uk
Jill, what a superb idea and what a laugh you are going to have going up on the first day !! ;-D

I am going to make a £50 donation to the St Francis Hospice in Havering-atte-Bower. The staff looked after my Nan a few years ago before she died and they did everything they could for her. They do such a fantastic job whilst everyone around them is suffering. All this whilst having to find £4 million a year to operate - quite incredible.

I'd be delighted for you to release a balloon for me - your cause is inspirational !
Post number:
26
25th of June 2009 12:08 PM by Nicholas Mathieson website: http://www.youthoffthestreets.com.au/
see post 24
Post number:
25
25th of June 2009 12:07 PM by Andrew Mathieson website: http://www.youthoffthestreets.com.au/
see post 24
Post number:
24
25th of June 2009 11:10 AM by Muir website: http://www.youthoffthestreets.com.au/
Thank you for being a conduit for people to 'give'. I, like many of the people we know, have had wonderful opportunities in life. Some by design, some by luck. I have teenage boys that are big, strong and full of attitude. While they aren't seen as 'cute & cuddly' anymore, they are still just big vulnerable boys who need lots of love and support. To this end, I have made 3 donations (2 x boys + me) to 'Youth off the streets' in Sydney that will hopefully extend some love and care to boys that have become lost. Love...
Post number:
23
25th of June 2009 08:46 AM by Neil & Gill Mathieson website: http://www.cancer.org.au/getinvolved/donate.htm
Great idea sis! We have made a $50 donation to the Cancer Council here in Oz. We'll be checking up on you via the webcam.
Post number:
22
24th of June 2009 07:24 PM by John Orden website: http://https://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/checkout/donate.html
Good luck Jill, hope it goes well for you.
I have made a donation to the charity Action for Blind People. A good friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration. From being a very active eighty year old he is now facing a very different old-age from what he was expecting….
Post number:
21
24th of June 2009 03:18 PM by Julia Possener website: http://https://www.facingtheworld.net
You Go Girl!!! How amazing and I can't wait to hear about it.... Good luck and Enjoy.
I have made a donation to Facing The World. This is a charity which helps impoverished children with severe facial deformities. This surgery transforms the children and radically changes their quality of life. Watch the short video on the website and I challenge you not to be moved..... It puts all make-over shows to shame.... Give kids the chance to smile. X
Post number:
20
24th of June 2009 12:03 PM by Lorraine Caie website: http://www.amnesty.org.uk
Brilliant - think a portrait of us today will be facinating.

I'm donating £100 to Amnesty International - an organising crusading for justice and human rights globally. I remember their work touched me during Tiannamen Square - 20 years ago - and it still touches me today - from Mandelas release to today's politial prisoners (Burma - Daw Aung San Suu Kyi), to guantamo to the current protests going on in Iran.....Amnesty has been and continues to be there holding the leaders accountable and maintaining the spot light on injustice in every corner of the globe. Donation in memory of Fiar Francis Fennell.
Post number:
19
19th of June 2009 06:08 PM by Christy and Paul Grigg website: http://www.mssociety.org.uk/
Jill - what a brilliant idea! I hope to be able to support you!

I'm going to donate £30 to Multiple Sclerosis Society which funds MS research, runs respite care centres, provides grants, education and training on MS. This disease has hit my family a number of times, so hope this will all help.
Post number:
18
18th of June 2009 03:15 PM by Tim & Sophie Hulbert website: http://www.stopthetraffik.org
Hi Jill - what a wonderful thing to do. I am buying a balloon with a £30 donation to Stop the Traffik, because there are people suffering everyday through terrible losses of freedom. I love the idea of my balloon representing release for people who are currently enduring suffering. Thank you for doing this. Good luck!
Post number:
17
17th of June 2009 04:32 PM by Andy Peers
Hi Jill,

Ive just donted some money to the Sea Shepherd organisation. Its headed up by a guy called Paul Watson - who is completely barking - he was a founder of greenpeace, but they were too tame for him - this guy gets stuck into full on direct action against whalers, and protecting the sea in general...Anyway, Ive been meaning to donate for some time so thanks for the prompt. Hope it all goes well on the 6th............

http://www.seashepherd.org/
Post number:
16
17th of June 2009 10:51 AM by Lewis Turek website: http://www.dreamflight.org/
Jill, firstly this is an absolutely super idea! Good on you for winning and coming up with such a thoughtful and honourable idea.

I've made a donation to Dreamflight, which allows seriously ill and disabled children to go on the holiday of a lifetime to DisneyWorld in Orlando every year.

Unfortunately I can't be with you on the day, but I'll be looking into the sky from Winchester for my balloon!

Good on you again Jill!
Post number:
15
16th of June 2009 09:51 AM by algy
Jill, an undisclosed portion of the Booker estate has been transferred to Medecins Sans Frontieres as a result of your initiative - because I like what they do, and used to luv the tv show
Post number:
14
15th of June 2009 12:30 PM by Sarah Collins website: http://www.dec.org.uk
A truly inspiring idea! I've made a donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee, an excellent charity offering emergency aid to countries all over the world. I'd love to be there to support you on the day, workload permitting! Hope you have a great time!
Post number:
13
15th of June 2009 12:07 PM by Mel & Mike Haines
Jill, you are clearly bonkers but we will be there gazing up at you on 6th (promise no tomatoes!). We are making a donation to the Alzheimers Society - alzheimers.org.uk. As you know my mum suffers from this condition and we can't emphasise enough how much more research into the disease is needed. See you on the day.
Post number:
12
15th of June 2009 11:49 AM by Richard Illingworth
Jill, brilliant idea. I will be donating £50 to Springboard, a charity in Horsham which provides great play areas and support to children with special needs and young children generally. Hope the sun shines !
Post number:
11
13th of June 2009 04:08 PM by Sara Kitching
Wow Jill, what a fantastic thing for you to do, well done and congratulations on winning! I would love to buy a balloon for the Macmillan Cancer Support www.macmillan.org.uk for £50. They have helped my sister and I so much and I know they do an amazing job. I wish you a wonderful day and I hope you have excellent weather!
Post number:
10
13th of June 2009 03:45 PM by George and Tricia Gatcum
Congratulations on winning an hour on the fourth plinth. To buy a balloon, we will donate £20 to Ian Rennie Hospice at Home. This is a local charity in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire which supports terminally ill patients in their own homes. As we will be on holiday on 6th July we can't come to see you, so expect some good photographs.
Post number:
9
13th of June 2009 01:16 PM by susan brooks website: http://www.samaritans.org
what a fantastic idea! Delighted to support you with a £30 donation to the Samaritans. I will be there July 6th at 11am!
Post number:
8
12th of June 2009 03:14 PM by Leilane website: http://www.leukaemia.org
I'm so proud of you Jill. I have given £20 to this organisation that helps child with leukaemia.
Post number:
7
12th of June 2009 01:50 PM by Chris Ayles website: http://www.crossroads.org.uk/
What an excellent thing to do Jill. The £30 for my balloon has gone to Crossroads, a Charity supporting carers and people with care needs.
Post number:
6
12th of June 2009 10:43 AM by Sharon Isaac-Upton website: http://www.thedaisygarland.org.uk
I have given £25 to the Daisy Garland Trust. Daisy died of a rare form of epilepsy before her 6th birthday and the charity provides support and guidance to parents of children with epilepsy and to provide equipment to improve conditions of life.
Post number:
5
12th of June 2009 09:24 AM by Elaine Anderson website: http://www.pilgrimshospice.org/
Well done Jill, a very classy thing to do. I'll come down and support you. My donation has gone to the Pilgrims Hospice in Kent. They do amazing work, supporting patients and their families through the most difficult of times, unfortunately my family needed their help last year, and they were amazing.
Post number:
4
12th of June 2009 09:04 AM by James Cavanagh website: http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/?nz
Classic - very original Jill, my $30 NZD has gone to Greenpeace an independant organisation that defends the natural world and promotes peace.
Post number:
3
11th of June 2009 04:05 PM by Tony Brierley
Great idea Jill, my charity of choice for £10 is CLIC Sargent - "Caring for children and young people with cancer and supporting their families" as I've seen the superb work they do - www.clicsargent.org.uk
Post number:
2
11th of June 2009 01:41 PM by Joanna Mathieson
So proud of you AJ! Looking forward to watching you on the webcam! My donation to a worthy cause of £10 is for Shelter - www.shelter.org.uk.
A charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homlessness and bad housing.
Post number:
1
11th of June 2009 12:50 PM by Oona website: http://www.partypackage.co.uk
Well done Jill. £10 for my balloon going to Macmillan Cancer Support www.macmillan.org.uk